Aliyah Boston heads to Indiana Fever as No. 1 pick in 2023 WNBA Draft

NEW YORK (AP) — The Indiana Fever made the mostof the first No. 1 draft pick in franchise history, selectingAliyah Boston.

The South Carolina star had a stellar college career, leadingthe Gamecocks to a national championship her junior year and losingonly nine games total. She was a three-time Associated PressAll-American and also the Player of the Year as a junior.

“It’s really special, I’m thankful to God for putting me in thisposition,” said the 21-year-old Boston, from the U.S. VirginIslands. “Everyone in Indiana, they saw something in me, I’m readyto get there and get to work.”

The Fever had the worst record in the league last season, going5-31.

“Aliyah Boston will have an immediate impact on our franchise onand off the court,” Fever GM Lin Dunn said. ’We are excited to pairher with Kelsey (Mitchell) and NaLyssa (Smith) as we reload theIndiana Fever. We are very impressed with Aliyah’s post skills aswell as her natural leadership skills. This a a great day for ourfranchise!”

Boston, like many other players, have had to choose whether toreturn to college for a fifth season because of the extra yeargranted for the COVID-19 virus or turn pro. She decided to enterthe WNBA draft, joining 111 other players to declare.

“Everyone that has a COVID year has a tough choice,” Bostonsaid. “You could be somewhere you know the system. ... It took alot of thought.”

She was one of three South Carolina players taken in the firstround. Laeticia Amihere went eighth to Atlanta and Zia Cooke 10thto Los Angeles.

“It’s amazing experience really, because this group of girlshave been through life together,” Amihere said. “These four yearshaven’t been only about basketball. Being able to be with them onone of our biggest nights is an amazing experience.”

It’s the 10th time that three players from the same team weredrafted in the opening round, and the first since Oregon had threein 2020.

Minnesota took Diamond Miller of Maryland with the No. 2 pick,and Dallas drafted Maddy Siegrist of Villanova with the third pick.Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman, who was the WNBA’s firstpresident, sat with Siegrist.

The Wings also drafted UConn guard Lou Lopez Senechal two pickslater. She had transferred to UConn after a stellar career atFairfield.

“It feels surreal, really didn’t think I’d be here,” Senechalsaid. “I’ve come a long way, gone through a lot of challenges.”

Stephanie Soares of Iowa State went fourth to Washington. TheMystics quickly traded her to Dallas soon after selecting the6-foot-7 center. Washington got back a future first- andsecond-round pick.

“It was a very interesting feeling,” Soares said. “Pureexcitement going to Washington, but now getting to go to Dallas.It’s going to be a great next step to the journey.”

Soares tore her ACL in January and will miss the upcoming WNBAseason.

Stanford guard Haley Jones went sixth to Atlanta. Indiana’sGrace Berger was drafted seventh by the Fever.

Seattle took Tennessee’s Jordan Horston ninth. Dallas choseMaryland’s Abby Meyers with the 11th pick. Meyers started hercareer at Princeton before finishing with the Terrapins.

Minnesota closed out the first round taking French center MaïaHirsch.